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July 21st, 2026
You did everything right. You wore your seatbelt. You followed the speed limit. And still, someone else’s reckless driving put you in the hospital.
Now you’re dealing with medical bills, missed work, and a recovery that could take months or longer. Then you learn that the driver who hit you carries only minimum insurance coverage.
If you’ve been seriously hurt in a vehicle collision near Hermiston, that coverage probably doesn’t come close to matching what you’ve been through.
Every driver on the road is supposed to carry insurance, but not every driver carries enough to cover a serious injury. Some people hold only a basic policy with low limits.
When that happens, the amount their insurance company is willing to pay can run out fast. A single ambulance ride and emergency room visit can use up a large share of a small policy before real treatment even begins.
The gap between what the other driver’s policy pays and what your injuries actually cost is the problem at the center of these cases. Closing that gap is where your options really matter.
When someone causes a crash and carries only a small policy, the math often doesn’t add up for serious injuries.
Picture a common scenario: You’re rear-ended on U.S. 395 near Hermiston. You suffer a herniated disc that needs surgery. Your costs could include:
Add it all up and your total losses could easily reach into six figures. Once the at-fault driver’s policy limit is reached, their insurance company’s obligation ends. Anything beyond that has to come from somewhere else.
This is where your own auto policy can become important.
Underinsured motorist coverage, often shortened to UIM, is meant to help when the at-fault driver’s policy isn’t enough to cover your losses. Your own insurance can step in to help fill the gap, up to the limits you carry.
If you’re not sure whether your policy includes this kind of coverage, it’s worth pulling out your paperwork and checking. Many Oregon drivers carry more protection than they realize, and it can make a real difference after a serious crash.
Filing an underinsured motorist claim means making a claim against your own insurance company. And your insurer may make it harder than you expect.
They may:
Just because it’s your insurance company doesn’t mean they’re on your side when a large claim is on the table. This is one reason having an attorney involved early can make a difference.
Personal Injury Protection, usually called PIP, is another type of coverage that may be part of your auto policy.
PIP is no-fault coverage. That means it can pay out regardless of who caused the collision. Depending on your policy, it may help with:
PIP can provide some immediate financial relief while the bigger questions about the at-fault driver’s coverage and your own claim are being sorted out. It’s built to pay relatively quickly, so you can start treatment without waiting for the insurance companies to settle who was at fault.
Sometimes. If the at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t fully cover your losses and you’ve used up your own coverage, you may have the option of pursuing a claim directly against the driver.
The practical challenge is collectability. A driver who carries only a small policy may not have significant assets to recover from, and a judgment doesn’t help much if the person can’t pay it.
A personal injury attorney can help you weigh whether pursuing a claim beyond insurance limits makes sense in your situation.
If you’ve been injured in a crash where the other driver has limited insurance, the steps you take after a car accident can help protect your claim:
Get medical care right away. Even if you feel okay at the scene, some injuries take days or weeks to show up. A medical record that starts on day one strengthens your case.
Report the accident to your own insurance company. Let them know you may need to make a claim under your own coverage. Stick to the facts. Don’t guess about fault or play down your injuries.
Don’t accept a quick settlement from the other driver’s insurance. Their adjuster may try to close your case fast with a low offer. Once you accept, you usually can’t go back for more, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected.
Document everything. Keep records of medical visits, prescriptions, mileage to appointments, and any work you’ve missed.
Talk to a personal injury attorney before signing anything. This matters most in situations where more than one insurance policy may come into play.
When the at-fault driver’s insurance falls short, the path to fair compensation gets more complicated. You may be dealing with:
At Hess Injury Law, our Hermiston car accident lawyers have helped families throughout Hermiston and Eastern Oregon deal with exactly this kind of situation. We know how to look for every available source of coverage, handle the give-and-take with insurance companies, and push for the compensation you actually need.
You shouldn’t have to settle for less just because the other driver didn’t carry enough insurance. There are options, and we can help you find them.
If you’ve been hurt in a collision and you’re worried the other driver doesn’t have enough coverage, call Hess Injury Law today. Let’s look at your options together.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel.
Peter J. Hess grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. He is a 1996 graduate of Walla Walla High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Washington, with a B.A. in Business Administration/Information Systems.
Peter graduated from Willamette University College of Law, with honors, in 2007. While at Willamette, he was an Associate Editor of the Willamette Law Review, he was a Teacher’s Assistant for a Legal Research and Writing professor, and he worked as a Personal Injury Law Clerk at Swanson, Lathen, Alexander & McCann in Salem, Oregon. After graduation from Willamette, Peter began working here at Hess Injury Law. In 2012, he became a partner in the firm. He is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon.